Army Bob: Public should be permitted to wear masks

OK, during this pandemic common sense is not so common. I viewed the Surgeon General of the United States earlier this week tell us not to wear masks, as a study of medical students showed that they touched their faces even if wearing a protective mask.

Has anyone even looked at the impact of wearing a mask with or without an insert like BILLIONS in Asia used during the surge in China and South Korea? Did they compare that with Italy not using masks? In those Asian nations “social distancing” is just not possible as they are too densely populated, much more so than even New York City. OK General, people wearing a mask touch their faces, but they can’t touch their nose or mouth, as they are covered.

The early call for us not to use an N-95 mask was perfectly understandable, as all medical-grade masks were needed by the brave Americans in the health care industry, I get that. As an epidemiologist I am a good soldier, but if a basic cotton mask can keep a percentage of us from not inhaling “large” droplets of contaminated saliva deposited in the air by infected folks breathing, sneezing and coughing, why is that bad?

The Surgeon General was followed by a different doctor who said we must, must not use rubber gloves, as you can still transfer the virus from the gloves to your mouth, nose and eyes. OK Doctor, but if we remove the contaminated gloves when we are done with the task at hand, just how does that work?

I tire of those who think we are painfully stupid, and we must conform to the lowest possible denominator. If you and I are instructed in the proper use of gloves and masks the vast majority of us will act responsibly; why not spend the airtime you have teaching us, and not being condescending toward us?

Do we continue to tell 95% of us not to use common sense precautions because 20% may not follow the proper procedure? Both physicians said we may be changing our recommendations on masks and gloves in the near future, but as for now we do not recommend using them. Please let us know just how that works? Masks and gloves (not taken away from medical needs) are bad now, but may be good tomorrow?

When I go out shopping, I put on a home-made cloth mask (not medical grade, not taking N-95s away from our valiant health care workers) and gloves while in the car. I shop, put the mask and gloves in a bag before I get back in the car, and after getting in the car use hand sanitizer. When I get home, I toss the gloves and drop the mask in a bowl of hot soapy water. I use alcohol on a paper towel (we are out of wipes), wipe down the purchased items and rewash my hands.

Surgeon General, sir, this stuff is not hard, and properly trained in doing so, the vast majority of Americans will use common sense precautions. Give us some credit for basic intelligence.

The home-made masks will help; we need to use the same precautions we would use if a mask and gloves were not available, but they will help. We need to follow precautions outlined by the experts, and yes, you condescending talking heads, most of us will follow procedure and be safer.

Exactly why should you and I should not be safe because a very few people will not follow proper procedures? Damned if I know.